Turn your back on heroin

Donald Coverdale issued the stark warning after presiding over the inquests on three heroin users who died of overdoses - bringing the total in York to seven this year.

"It is shocking that in the course of this year I have carried out more inquests on the deaths of young people from overdosing on heroin than in previous years - and it is only September," he told an inquest at York County Court.

"I do hope that the message will get over to heroin users and people who are thinking of using heroin that it is a lethal drug.

"It is a shame deaths have to occur to bring the message across.

"I hope there will be a growing realisation that there is a great risk of death from heroin.

"Turn your back on heroin."

Last week the Evening Press revealed that heroin is so widely available in the city that it is now cheaper than cannabis and other soft drugs.

Mr Coverdale spoke out after the inquests were held on three young men, who had all died in the city earlier this year.

Kevin Owens, 24, and Neil Devlin, 33, were both found dead in a flat in George Street, York, in February this year after overdoses. They had been drinking since 8am in the morning according to Mr Owens' best friend, heroin user Anthony Grayson.

He had been with them but popped out for 30 minutes to get some beer and returned to find them dead, he told the inquest.

Verdicts of death by dependency on drugs were recorded for both Mr Owens, unemployed and of no fixed abode, and Mr Devlin, unemployed, of Millfield Lane.

"It is a shocking matter that two young men should die from heroin overdoses," said Mr Coverdale.

"These are two young men, neither of whom were nave in the use of heroin."

An earlier hearing heard how 32-year-old Christopher Williams, of Chaloners Crescent, Dringhouses, was a "chaotic drug user".

A report from his doctor stated that unemployed Mr Williams had suffered brain damage and psychiatric problems as a result of his heavy drug use.

He was found on May 2 this year slumped over a dresser in his lounge after going out to "score some heroin."

His grandfather had died earlier in the week and friends said he had not seemed himself.

A verdict of death by dependence on drugs was recorded after he died of a morphine overdose.

"Clearly Mr Williams had a substantial problem with illicit drugs," Mr Coverdale said.

"The persistent use of heroin is fraught with danger and can often lead to overdoses."

Updated: 10:47 Friday, September 07, 2001